“Ziza is a storyteller, rather than a predictable, by-the-numbers ‘jazz’ singer”, writes esteemed jazz journalist Gwen Ansell. Raised in Croatia, and a South African for the past three decades, Ziza’s sound is a unique blend of Eastern European folk tunes mixed with American and South African jazz styles. Shining Hour, her second album, echoes Johnny Mercer’s My Shining Hour, a song of hope and high expectations and as she handpicks from known songs and her own compositions Ziza presents repertoire that’s both diverse and accessible, making connections with her listeners while simultaneously offering something new and inventive.